Climate Action Network Canada ‘Three Asks of Government” *

Climate Action Network Canada has been asked to present 3 asks to the all-party climate caucus on June 7th – here is what we have so far…

End attacks on science and civil society organizations

The increasingly hostile rhetoric towards civil society organizations as well as cuts to funding for critical government and non-governmental scientific bodies is a devastating blow to the integrity of both our democracy as well as our ability to monitor, report and respond to the evolving climate impacts and data.

Present a comprehensive plan and timeline to show how the government will close the ~167 MT gap in emissions between now and 2020 (and increase ambition)

The recent report of the Environment Commissioner, taking into consideration Environment Canada’s emissions trends, indicates an almost insurmountable gap between where current policies can get us and the federal government target. The current target falls very short of Canada’s fair share globally, but it appears that the government has no plan to meet even this target. As noted by the Environment Commissioner, the sector-by-sector regulatory approach taken by the government involves policies that take years to develop, implement and take effect – and to date no regulations have been presented for the oil and gas sector (among others), Canada’s fastest growing source of greenhouse gas pollution.

End subsidies to the fossil fuel industry as committed to at the 2009 G20

Current federal subsidies to the fossil fuel sector in Canada are calculated to be over 1.3 billion dollars per year, based on the WTO definition. The federal government has committed through the G20 to rapidly end these subsidies, and yet since this commitment was made in 2009 has phased out only a fraction of what used to be closer to 1.4 billion per year. This is one suggestion for a source of funding to reinstate federal support programs for renewable energy and energy efficiency, such as the eco-energy policy suite that has not received renewed funding or to fulfill Canada’s commitments to support developing countries through short and long-term climate financing.

All of the above asks represent important first steps but fail to fully cover what would be Canada’s fair share in the fight against global climate change.

For Canada to do its fair share when it comes to taking action against climate change we need the implementation a robust plan to meet an ambitious, science-based target built on a broad-based price on carbon. This would have to be matched with support for the rapid transition towards energy efficiency and safe, clean and renewable energy while ensuring support for vulnerable populations at home and abroad to adapt to a changing climate and transition themselves to a clean energy economy.

*These asks are not necessarily reflective of the order of priorities of all of our member organizations, but reflect central issues in recent campaigns. They do not represent a comprehensive plan. Such a plan would also have to include consideration for domestic and international adaptation as well as federal support for an aggressive shift towards energy efficiency and clean energy as well as increased ambitions with regards to Canada’s GHG reduction target.